Clinton supporter Elton John laments U.S. misogyny

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

<p>Singer Elton John performs at a fundraising concert for Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) campaign at New York's Radio City Music Hall April 9, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar</p>

NEW YORK (Reuters) - British pop star Elton John, playing a fund-raiser for Hillary Clinton in New York on Wednesday, said he was amazed at the misogyny of some in America and he hoped that wouldn’t stop her being president.

At the fund-raiser which Clinton’s campaign manager said raised $2.5 million, John said there was no one more qualified to lead the United States into the next era.

“Having said that, I never cease to be amazed at the misogynistic attitude of some people in this country. And I say to hell with them,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

“The reason I‘m here tonight is to play music, but more importantly as someone who comes from abroad, and is in America quite a lot of the time (and) is extremely interested in the political process because it effects the whole world.”

<p>Singer Elton John performs at a fundraising concert for Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) campaign at New York's Radio City Music Hall April 9, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar</p>

“I’ve always been a Hillary supporter,” he said.

Introducing him, Clinton recalled that the entertainer had played at the White House at a state dinner when her husband Bill Clinton was president.

<p>Singer Elton John (L) greets Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former President Bill Clinton (R) as he takes the stage before performing a fundraising concert for Clinton's campaign at New York's Radio City Music Hall April 9, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar</p>

The New York senator, who is trailing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, vowed to take her battle for the Democratic nomination to the end of the primary process, saying all the states should have their say.

Clinton said she couldn’t sing but “What I want you to know is ‘I‘m still standing,”’ -- echoing the title of an Elton John song.

John opened his set with the track “Your Song,” dwelling on the line “How wonderful life is when you’re in the world.” Other hits he sang included “Daniel” and “Rocket Man.”